For two or three months in a year, men of the Tiwa tribe of Karbi Anglong district in Assam comb the deep jungles to hunt wildlife. The Tiwas, one of the major tribes of the State, live both in the hills and the plains.
With country-made muzzle-loading guns slung over their shoulders, the men trek 16 to 20 km in search of deer, boar, pangolin, mountain goat and porcupine, which officially come under the ambit of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Forest officials privately say they do not interfere with tribal customs, although hunting has a cascading effect on all animal populations, and affects the prey base. “We know they consume deer meat on special occasions,” an official admits.
Hoof marks reveal the nature of the beast in the area, and a group of six takes off to trap it. But they are not lucky this time. Suddenly, one of the members spots a burrow, setting off furious digging. But it leads to nothing. The tribal hunters lunch in the forest, and then continue the search. A mountain goat comes into view. Three hunters train their guns, and one of them brings the animal down. The kill is then brought to their settlement. A feast ensues, and the meat is distributed to the hunters and their families.
The Tiwas burn grass to make a path, as they do for jhum cultivation (slash and burn) after growing paddy and pumpkin, chilli and other vegetables when they are not hunting. The Tiwas do not hunt in the animals’ breeding season.
(Text and images by Ritu Raj Konwar)
Priming the gun: Kanta, a Tiwa hunter, checks his muzzle-loading gun before the hunt begins. Men of the Tiwa tribe go on a hunt for about three months a year on a remote hill in Karbi Anglong district of Assam. They use country-made guns and shells to bring down deer, pig, goat, porcupine and wild birds.
Telltale signs: Nene, a Tiwa hunter, looks for pugmarks during the hunt.
On the fly: A Tiwa hunter loads his muzzle-loading gun during a hunt.
Into the recesses: Two hunters dig a hole in search of a wild boar.
Meat and eat: Hunters take a break and cook their food.
To a plan: The men discuss their hunting plan.
Fresh kill: A serow downed by the hunters.
Look and shoot: Three hunters in action.
Now for the feast: Hunters carry a serow to their village which is 15 km from the hunting spot.